‘Jerusalem’ Follows Teens’ Perilous Paths

In “Jerusalem Avenue,” at the Gardner Stage in Hollywood, playwright Christopher Joyce takes an unflinching look at five juvenile delinquents and how they grew up--or didn’t.

Set in a Long Island suburb during the late ‘70s and ‘80s, the play follows a crew of heavy-metal headbangers who spent most of their high school years smoking pot, committing petty crimes and listening to Led Zeppelin.

Fresh out of prison, pack leader Dennis (David Pesko) tries to re-establish control over his older, now-jaded cohorts. But he soon finds himself at odds with Matt (the natural and low-key Jeff Parise), a once-loyal follower whose new ties to college and a girlfriend (Michelle Verhunce) have drawn derision from the others.

Joyce, who also directed, at times blunts the impact with some windy, meandering writing and dubious staging choices. The playwright seems attached to long, lyrical monologues that, however poignant, add little to the story. Some viewers will be confused at first by the mostly mute presence of a character who, we later learn, met a tragic death some years earlier.

But “Jerusalem Avenue” is still a powerful piece of work, bolstered by vividly drawn characters and a healthy dose of teen-age verisimilitude. Blessed with both technical skill and fine instincts, Pesko is terrifying as a bullying, drug-addled ex-con. Kevin Weiler is touching, funny and a little creepy as Craig, a troubled man-child whose hobby is drowning cats. And Israel Juarbe manages some very amusing moments as Ray, a hail-fellow pothead laboring to hide his own self-doubt.

The play takes place in a trashed-out basement, which makes the Gardner’s subterranean Stage 3 a choice venue.

* “Jerusalem Avenue,” Gardner Stage, 1501 N. Gardner, Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Ends April 23. $10. (213) 956-4074. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.